Tried to thank you privately in email for the excellent writeup snipped
below but suspect that the email never made it to you.

So, thanks for taking the time to write that up - it's been a huge help.

"Boris Beizer" wrote in message
k.net...

snip

You don't want a "fixed" frame for reasons I'll give below. The one I
like
best is the German, "flat" sawframe, # 187-1095 for about 10$. That looks
like the closest to a traditional sawframe and happens also to be the
cheapest.
snip